Blessing of the Bikes

[irishman]

I've been invited to attend a "Blessing of the Bikes" at a nearby Harley-Davidson dealership. A friend of mine thinks that because I'm a pastor, I should attend. After all, the Christian Motorcyclists Association is one of the sponsors, also with the Disabled American Veterans and ABATE. There will be a chili feed after the blessing of the bikes, and an organized ride.

I have mixed feelings. My secular jOB is as my county's veterans director, so I would prOBably go to help with the veterans group. I like motorcycles a lot, so visiting the dealership for chili and riding would be OK (the after-ride party is a definite no-go!). I know the CMA is not the most-separate group of Christians, and I don't attend any of their events intentionally.

I guess what I'm asking is this: Would I be supporting the "blessing" by attending? Could I just go and be inside the dealership when the "blessing" occurs? Or do y'all think there's nothing wrong with a "blessing" at all, and I should just go and have fun? My friend would not understand why I wouldn't want to attend, and he already knows I don't have anything special planned for Saturday.

Mitch

I have just left a church where the preacher is a "biker". He dressed well, and said all the right things, but his attitude was a "biker attitude". He has armed many of his members and they go to bars to witness for "Biker Sunday". He has warned the kids in the church not to sit on a biker's bike, because they take that personally. ; he has told the congregation that there may be smoking and cursing, but just ignore it, they need to be saved. That is not the only reason I left, but it didn't help matters much.

To be present at any event shows agreement, whether you say you agree or not. it is a form of "support", and they bikers know it. I hear of "disclaimers" (usually concerning web sites, etc.) but putting a disclaimer on something does nothing when you advertise for them! It is the same with an appearance. One can say I am just here for so-ands-so, but what does "so-and-so" learn from it? He learns that although you are against something (or at least not for it) it is ok to support it because of a friendship--he learns compromise! As a pastor, your influence is great upon the unsaved world, and they will encourage others to participate by saying "Pastor _____ was there too! He is all for us!"


I grew up with the "biker mentality" and there is a certain degree of rebellion (same as witchcraft according to 1 Samuel) that influences all they say and do. A wild spirit, or maverick gets a lot of attention from bikers, but does little for the glory of God. Christian bikers (Those that belong to a "club") are like "Christian" rock stars--you take it from there. By the way, because it is sponsored by a "Christian" biker club is no reason to feel compelled to attend. What if it was sponsored by the Southern Baptists? Would you go then?

As a vet, I can understand your position as to attending for the veterans, but does that take precedence over your testimony for the Lord? Maybe it's time to take a stand. Edited April 18, 2010 by irishman

[JerryNumbers]

& Amen!

Once a local pastor took part in a local crusade sponsored in part by a local SBC Church along with several other denominational churches.

I informed him by taking part in this event he was showing that he supported anything and everything. He disagreed with me at the time.

A year or so later he came up to me and said, "You were right." Of course I wanted to know what I was right about, it was his support of the crusade.

He told me for him to be a councilor at this event, he had to promise that anyone who came down to him at the invitation he had to ask them, young people, what church their parents attended, if their parents did not attend a Baptist Church he could not council them, he had to send them to a councilor for what ever church their parents attended.

If I was an older person, he had to ask, what denomination do you prefer, if it was not Baptist, he could not council them, and had to send them to a councilor for that denomination.

Sad to say, there were councilors there that believes one is saved by works, baptism, church membership, and so on. Sad to say, many people who come down at the invitation did not get counseled on how to accept Jesus as Savior.

Its a fact, most such events held is after that fashion, and many get taught to have a false hope.

Billy Graham crusades are a very good example of what not to do. For taking part in such events will be showing approval.

[1Timothy115]

I've been invited to attend a "Blessing of the Bikes" at a nearby Harley-Davidson dealership. A friend of mine thinks that because I'm a pastor, I should attend. After all, the Christian Motorcyclists Association is one of the sponsors, also with the Disabled American Veterans and ABATE. There will be a chili feed after the blessing of the bikes, and an organized ride.

I have mixed feelings. My secular jOB is as my county's veterans director, so I would prOBably go to help with the veterans group. I like motorcycles a lot, so visiting the dealership for chili and riding would be OK (the after-ride party is a definite no-go!). I know the CMA is not the most-separate group of Christians, and I don't attend any of their events intentionally.

I guess what I'm asking is this: Would I be supporting the "blessing" by attending? Could I just go and be inside the dealership when the "blessing" occurs? Or do y'all think there's nothing wrong with a "blessing" at all, and I should just go and have fun? My friend would not understand why I wouldn't want to attend, and he already knows I don't have anything special planned for Saturday.

Mitch

I suppose it depends on how ecumenical is defined in your dictionary. As far as the "blessing of the bikes" well, I heard something about the Roman Catholics doing that in one of the cities on the U.S. east coast. I'm guessing the one you'll attend is the same genre? I know this, the water they're tossing is best spent for this event...dirty bikes benefit more than the riders.

[holster]

I guess what I'm asking is this: Would I be supporting the "blessing" by attending? Could I just go and be inside the dealership when the "blessing" occurs? Or do y'all think there's nothing wrong with a "blessing" at all, and I should just go and have fun? My friend would not understand why I wouldn't want to attend, and he already knows I don't have anything special planned for Saturday.

Mitch

I have a man who is in a "Christian" bike club. The only thing it does is take him away from church. He claims that God wants him to ride and "view" His spender. I told him that according to the Bible, God wants him in church. Pray for him as I keep teaching him about faithfulness and separation.

[JerryNumbers]

Sad, for many, any excuse at all is good for missing church, even if they have to make up one.

[chev1958]

Just for the record, I didn't participate in this. I went to the dealership another time to "slOBber" over the bikes instead.

[holster]

Just for the record, I didn't participate in this. I went to the dealership another time to "slOBber" over the bikes instead.

[JerryNumbers]

If they had not been wiped down, they prOBably had slOBber all over them.